This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
Quarterback
Mike Reilly, EDM vs. OTT ($10,800): Reilly brings the potential for multi-dimensional fantasy production and a prolific arm that tends to come alive in potential shootouts such as Friday's matchup against the Redblacks. Ottawa has given up the third-most passing yards per game (336.5) through the season's first three weeks, while Reilly has compiled 23.7 and 17.6 fantasy points in his first two games. Reilly also enjoyed a pair of productive outings against the Redblacks secondary last season, throwing for a combined 723 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in the first and last games of the campaign. With the talented Trevor Harris on the other sideline, he's also likely to have to keep his foot on the gas for all four quarters, which should give him a chance to return solid value despite being the highest-priced option of the week.
Ricky Ray, TOR at WPG ($9,800): Ray looks like he's turned back the clock over the first three weeks in new head coach and renowned offensive guru Marc Trestman's offense, throwing for no less than 327 yards and scoring between 18.08 and 27.64 fantasy points over that stretch. While Ray will be missing DeVier Posey and Jeff Fuller (who also sat out the Week 3 contest versus the Redblacks), the Argos will still trot out the talented S.J. Green and Armanti Edwards as his top targets. Meanwhile, the Blue Bombers have surrendered the second-most passing yards per game (343.5) over their first two games and are tied with the Ti-Cats for most points allowed (34.5) as well. Toronto ranks first with 379 yards passing per contest, and despite the injuries at wideout, Ray checks in as a worthy investment for cash or GPPs.
Running Back
Jeremiah Johnson, BC at HAM ($7,800): Johnson has been the clear-cut top fantasy running back over the first three weeks, scoring 25.35 and 28.5 fantasy points, respectively, in two of those contests. Even when the running lanes aren't necessarily there, such as last week versus the Als (12 carries, 34 yards), Johnson still tends to see a robust workload and remains involved in the passing game (five receptions, 68 yards). He's even generated some production on special teams in two of the first three contests (81 return yards), and given his integral role in the Lions' offense, he offers a particularly safe floor at a position that can be volatile for fantasy purposes in the CFL.
Tyrell Sutton, MTL vs. CGY ($6,900): Sutton has seen his fantasy-point totals increase in each week thus far, with the versatile running back topping out at 20 fantasy points last week against the Lions in a losing cause. The veteran is thriving on the ground in the early going, averaging 6.2 yards per tote and adding 43 yards in receptions. Potential participation as a kickoff returner gives his upside an additional boost, as evidenced by the 56 yards on two runbacks he rounded out his night with in Week 3. The fact that the Stamps check in allowing the second-most rushing yards (81.7) per game through the first three weeks only serves to broaden Sutton's appeal.
Mossis Madu, Jr., OTT at EDM ($6,900): Madu makes for a viable same-price pivot off Sutton, given his seemingly clear-cut role as the Redblacks' top tailback for the time being, as well as his matchup against the Eskimos' bottom-ranked rush defense (118.0 yards rushing per game through two contests). Like Sutton, Madu is an integral part of his team's attack, having logged 27 touches out of the backfield over Weeks 2 and 3 while also compiling six receptions. He's seen a considerable price bump from last week, but given his ability to remain involved even if the contest turns into a shootout, he's certainly worthy of consideration.
Travon Van, EDM vs. OTT ($6,800): Top Eskimos back John White is out of the season with a torn ACL, leaving Van in the driver's seat as the primary running back for the time being. He responded with 50 yards on 17 carries and another 21 yards on four receptions in Week 2 versus the Als, and with a full two weeks to prepare as the starting tailback, he'll take on his former Reblacks squad that's been just middle of the pack against the run through the season's first three games. Van was a versatile weapon at times for Ottawa last season, but due to having to share backfield duties with the talented Jerome Messam, he never had an extended run as the true bell-cow back. However, he did manage to log 400 yards on 78 carries (5.1 YPC) over the six games in which he saw double-digit rush attempts, while also posting three or more receptions in four of the 10 contests he participated in. Van's dual role and the extra motivation he's likely to have against his former teammates certainly puts him in play in Week 4.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Greg Ellingson, OTT at EDM ($8,400): Ellingson has exploded for 23.3 and 36.0 fantasy points, respectively, over the last two games, as he appears to have seized the role of top playmaker in the Redblacks' prolific air attack. The 28-year-old has comfortably crossed the 100-yard mark in both of those contests and should certainly be in quarterback Trevor Harris' cross-hairs early and often Friday night in what has heavy potential for a shootout against the Eskimos. Ellingson has shown an ability to get downfield (14.8 yards per reception) and has built extensive rapport with Harris over the last season-plus. It's worth noting that the Eskimos have been very tough against the pass over the two games they've played (league-best 195.5 passing yards allowed per contest) against the serviceable-but-not-spectacular (thus far) air attacks of the Lions and Als, but Ellingson clearly has the confidence of Harris, who hasn't made less than 35 pass attempts in the first three weeks.
S.J. Green, TOR at WPG (7,600): DeVier Posey and Jeff Fuller will be out in Week 4 with undisclosed injuries, leaving Green as one of Ricky Ray's top targets alongside Armanti Edwards. Green has been spectacular in two of the first three weeks, scoring 22.4 fantasy points in the opener on the strength of a seven-reception, 124-yard effort before exploding for 10 catches, 204 yards and a touchdown in Week 3, a performance that generated 40.0 fantasy points. Green will likely see a boost in defensive attention given the absence of his teammates, but he should certainly see at least a slight increase in his already-robust target share as well.
Diontae Spencer, OTT at EDM (6,900): Spencer is an all-purpose threat who's racked up 40.9 and 17.0 fantasy points, respectively, over the last two weeks, making contributions through the air and on both return teams. The Redblacks' passing options are plenty, so while he's not likely to produce eye-popping numbers in that area, it's the cumulative value that Spencer brings that makes him viable. The fact that the Ottawa defense has proven to be vulnerable over the first three weeks – thereby affording Spencer plenty of kickoff return opportunities – and that they'll face a high-powered offensive squad in the Eskimos gives him an extra dose of fantasy appeal this week.
Armanti Edwards, TOR at WPG ($5,900): Just as with teammate S.J. Green, Edwards is a near must-play this week given the absences of DeVier Posey and Jeff Fuller. His sub-$6K price makes him even more palatable, as it naturally doesn't account for the increase in targets he's due for this week. Edwards already flashed impressive upside in Week 2 by racking up 131 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions in a performance that netted 32.1 fantasy points. As one of Ricky Ray's top two targets this week, he's one of the best potential fantasy-point-per-dollar values on the board at receiver.
Team Defense
BC Lions at Hamilton Tiger-Cats ($5,200): The Ti-Cats offense is in dire need of playmakers, particularly with Terrence Toliver (knee) out of action for several more weeks. Hamilton ranks dead last in the CFL through two games in yards per game (237.0), rush yards (21.5), passing yards (197.5) and time of possession (25:14), and is just a shade above the Als in points per contest (17.5). The Lions have been serviceable on defense in terms of yards allowed (367.7, fourth-fewest in CFL); however, they are currently the stingiest when it comes to points surrendered (20.3 allowed per contest), having impressively stymied the high-powered Toronto attack to the tune of 15 points in Week 2 and limiting the Als to 16 points last week. Hamilton signal caller Zach Collaros has never been an especially prolific passer, and with a virtually non-existent Ti-Cats running game, B.C. defenders should be able to pin their collective ears back and build on the five interceptions and two sacks they've compiled thus far.
